General info

Rome Tourism Tips

Electrical Appliances

The electrical current in Italy is AC - the cycle is 50Hz 220 V. A tourist carrying electrical appliances to Italy should have a transformer, either obtained before leaving your country or bought at an electrical appliance shop in Italy. Plugs have round prongs, not flat, therefore an adapter plug is needed for travel.

Laundry and Dry Cleaners

Most hotels have laundry and dry cleaning facilities. If the hotel does not provide these services, the desk clerk can direct you to the nearest shop (tintoria) or you can look in the Classified Telephone directory under Tintorie (cleaning and pressing) and Lavanderie (laundry).

Shopping

Although normally shops are open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3:30 / 4 p.m. to 7:30 / 8 p.m. , in large cities and tourist areas there is a tendency to stay open from 9.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. with possible variations from town to town. Department stores such as La Rinascente, Coin, Upim are found in many Italian cities and towns and are open from 9.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.

Some excellent purchase options for when you travel are: Clothes for men and women (dresses, shoes, gloves, silk ties, shirts); lacework, jewellery, leather goods (handbags, cases, boxes, luggage), ceramics, gold and silver items, alabaster, woodwork, straw, embroidery, glass and crystal ware.

Travelers Checks

Will shops in Italy accept traveler's checks?
In major Italian cities and travel destinations traveler checks are accepted. The rate of exchange is calculated on the daily rate of exchange shown in the newspapers.

ATMs and Debit Cards

Can I use my Credit Card/Debit Card in Italy?
Yes. Most reputable establishments will accept major credit cards. Those establishments accepting credit cards will post the logos in their front windows, just as they do in the USA and Canada.

Are there ATMs in Italy?

Will I need to know Italian to use the ATMs?
The ATM (Automatic Teller Machines) in Italy are known as Bancomat. There are many to be found in the large cities and even in small towns. The machines operate just as they do here; at the beginning of the transaction, it prompts the user for the preferred language.
Using a credit card, or even better, a debit card or your local bank ATM card is very easy. One must first locate either the Cirrus or BankMate symbol (on the Bancomat and on your card) to insure the card is usable on that particular unit. Cirrus and BankMate are the two most popular and widespread banking systems in the world so they are the best to have. If you are unsure about the compatibility or the banking systems when you travel abroad, contact your credit card company or local bank.

After discovering the system is compatible, simply withdraw money as you would at home. Of course, in Italy the money will be dispensed in Euros, but when you travel home, your bank will have converted the Euros into dollars using the most beneficial exchange rate possible. Be careful though when using credit cards, as many banks are now charging large fees of 2.5% to 4% for cash advances which negate any advantage of using the Bancomat in the first place. One's best bet is to use your regular ATM card and simply withdraw money from your account just as you would do at your local bank.

Banking Hours

Banks in Italy are open Monday through Friday from 8:35 a.m. to 1:35 p.m. and from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.; in many Rome tourism areas they are open no-stop from 8.30 a.m. to 4p.m. and closed all day on Saturday and Sunday and on national holidays. The afternoon one hour opening may vary from city to city. Travelers checks can be exchanged for Italian currency at most hotels and shops and at the foreign exchange offices in main railway stations and at the airports.

How to Get Euro

Once in Italy, how do I convert my dollars in euros?
Tourists reaching Italy without foreign currency can obtain Euros through any bank, ATM machines, or exchange office (Ufficio di Cambio) at airports, seaports and railway stations in the main cities.

It is advisable to keep receipts of currency exchanged in case it be necessary to reconvert euros back into dollars before leaving the country.

Money Belt

Crowded Rome tourism attractions are at pickpocket and gipsy risk. One should always be on alert for these petty thieves, but a good offence is the best defence. Keep your money hidden preferably in an inside pocket or money belt.

Useful Phone Numbers and Rome Tourism Information Services

Rome Tourism Information Points

Castel S.Angelo
» P.za Pia

» Tel. 06 68 80 97 07

» Every day from 9am to 6pm

Fori Imperiali
» P.za Tempio della Pace

» Tel. 06 69 92 43 07

» Every day from 9am to  6pm

San Giovanni
» P.za S.Giovanni in Laterano

» Tel. 06 77 20 35 35

» Every day from 9am to  6pm

Stazione Termini
» Galleria Gommata

» Tel. 06 48 90 63 00

» Every day from 8am to 9pm

Stazione Termini
» P.za dei Cinquecento

» Tel. 06 47 82 51 94

» Every day from 9am to 6pm

Largo Goldoni
» Largo Goldoni

» Tel. 06 68 13 60 61

» Every day from 9am to 6pm

Trastevere
» P.za Sonnino

» Tel. 06 58 33 34 57

» Every day from 9am to 6pm

Palazzo delle Esposizioni
Via Nazionale

» Tel. 06 47 82 45 25

» Every day from 9am to 6pm

Piazza Cinque Lune
» P.za Cinque Lune

» Tel. 06 68 80 92 40

» Every day from 9am to 6pm

Fontana di Trevi
» Via Minghetti

» Tel. 06 67 82 988

» Every day from 9am to 6pm

Santa Maria Maggiore
» Via dell'Olmata

» Tel. 06 47 40 955

» Every day from 9am to 6pm

Rome Visitor Center
Via Parigi 5 (Piazza della Repubblica)
Mon-Sat 9 - 19 - Closed on Saundays

Rome Tourism Information Office at "Leonardo da Vinci" Airport - Fiumicino
International Arrivals - Terminal B
Every day 8.00 - 19.00